You can thank your MAMA for an awesome showcase of all-ages music in Montgomery's skyline on Saturday.

“We call it MAMA over Montgomery obviously because we’re over Montgomery,” said Jeff Cummings, president of Montgomery Area Musicians Association. "We’re on top of the RSA Tower… We’re actually outdoors on the terraces. It’s the best view in Montgomery."

The goals behind MAMA over Montgomery are to support area artists and bands, "and raise awareness in the community of the extraordinary amount of talent that we have right here in the River Region,” said Cummings.

From the musicians’ standpoint, an event like this offers exposure and a chance to land more gigs closer to home, instead of having to leave the River Region to make a name elsewhere.

“A lot of these guys are having to go on the road to make a living,” said Cummings. “The farther out of town you get, the bigger you are, and it shouldn’t have to be that way.”

Scenes from the 2015 MAMA Over Montgomery event on top of the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery. The 2016 MAMA Over Montgomery event is Saturday. (Contributed)(Photo: .)

On Saturday, each band will play a 45 minute set, and the first group will start in the ballroom. Cummings said the other four bands will alternate between the west terrace, which overlooks the river, and the south terrace.

“We’ve also got a young singer and songwriter that’s going to be playing during intermissions between bands,” said Cummings. That performer is Edward Hartline, 20, an award-winning MAMA member who has been writing songs since age 11 and has released several EPs. He will be singing all original music. You can check out his work online at edwardhartline.net.

This is the third annual MAMA over Montgomery. Each year, MAMA accepts submissions from area bands that want to participate. A committee selects the best band in each genre. To keep it fair and give more groups a chance, they excluded groups that have played it in the last two years.

“This will make 15 bands that we have put before the community representing the top bands in five genres,” said Cummings. “And it’s been a huge success… The idea is to have something that has not been done before.”

Through a partnership with the Capital City Club, as well as several sponsors to help compensate the bands, MAMA has been able to make that idea a reality.

Cummings said this is a non-smoking event. Food will be available, as well as a cash bar. There will also be a silent auction, with all proceeds going back into MAMA’s local music mission.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the first group will start at 7 p.m. “This will be a rain or shine event,” said Cummings. “If we were to have rain, we have an alternate plan. We can hold everything indoors, because it’s a huge area in there.”

Advance tickets are going for $15 each. “That’s $3 a band to see the top bands in the region at one of the coolest venues for live music around,” said Cummings. They’re available online at montgomerymusicians.org, or on MAMA’s Facebook page.

Tickets at the door will be $20, but it might be wise to get them early. “We almost sold it out last year. We expect we will sell it out this year,” said Cummings.

When other area events plan to hire music acts, Cummings said they should “buy local,” instead of bringing in groups from other cities. That’s a major message MAMA is trying to get out.

MAMA works with artists within a 50 mile radius of Montgomery. “We’ve booked a lot of bands, got a lot of bands in touch with local venues, festivals and those types of things,” said Cummings. “We’ve never charged any kind of booking fee. We’re not a middle man. We’re an all volunteer nonprofit. Everything that we do is gratis,” said Cummings.

Membership in MAMA is $20 a year for an individual, with different rates available for bands, families, students and businesses. “All that revenue goes right back into the community to offer events like this, and also educational opportunities,” said Cummings.

You can sign up with MAMA online at montgomerymusicians.org, The site also offers people a chance to make donations, which are appreciated but not required to reap the benefits of MAMA.

“We’re like the Red Cross. You don’t have to make a donation,” said Cummings. "If you need help, we’re going to help you… There’s no catch. MAMA loves you.”